Peter Mangiaracina.

This lesson explains the difference between purpose, what someone wants to do or achieve, and reason, why something happens. It shows how English uses to + infinitive, in order to + infinitive, and so (that) + clause for purpose, while because + clause, because of + noun, and since + clause can express reason.

Important points

• Use to + infinitive to express purpose.
• In order to expresses the same purpose more explicitly.
• Use for + noun, not for + gerund, to express purpose in these patterns.
• So (that) is followed by a subject and verb.
• Because is followed by a clause, while because of is followed by a noun.
• Since can mean because, although it also has a separate time meaning.

Choose one answer for each question, then check your answers.